Thread: Dreier wins support of major state lobby group

http://www.dailybulletin.com/news/ci_3629825

Dreier wins support of major state lobby group

By Gary Scott, Staff Writer
Inland Valley Daily Bulletin

MONROVIA - The so-called Fire Dreier movement, which succeeded in diminishing support for Rep. David Dreier in his previous election campaign, may have one less ignition point come November.
Dreier, R-Glendora, has won the backing of the conservative California Republican Assembly in his bid for re-election for his 14th term in office.

Political observers say the endorsement should help blunt the type of attacks GOP activists launched against Dreier two years ago, when he was blasted for failing to clamp down hard on illegal immigration.

This criticism, amplified over the airwaves of ``The John and Ken Show'' on KFI radio, is believed to be responsible for Dreier's narrow margin of victory in 2004 - the slimmest of his career and the smallest of any incumbent congressman in the state.

``I think the statement was, to many Republican observers, ear-shattering,'' said Jonathan Wilcox, a former speechwriter for Gov. Pete Wilson.

For the past two years, Dreier seems to have done everything he can to recast himself as a hardliner on border security.

The endorsement serves as recognition for this effort, Wilcox said. But, he added, ``it will not completely inoculate him from Republicans casting yet another protest vote.''

For many conservatives, a CRA endorsement is still a seal of approval.

``Strongly conservative Republicans pay attention to them,'' said Jack Pitney, a professor of politics at Claremont McKenna College, Dreier's alma mater.

In Pitney's opinion, the endorsement is a sign that the work Dreier has done on illegal immigration reform is paying off and should protect him against an expensive or bitter campaign fight this fall.

CRA President Mike Spence said Dreier does appear to be listening to the concerns of his constituents on the immigration issue, but he also said it took four rounds of balloting before Dreier won the endorsement.

The Dreier campaign is wearing the CRA endorsement as a badge of honor. It is displayed prominently on the Dreier for Congress Web site, alongside a link that takes readers to a list of 64 separate instances in which Dreier pushed for immigration reforms.

Neither Dreier nor his campaign returned calls Wednesday for comment.

The Glendora congressman also credits his ``message of getting tough on illegal immigration'' as contributing to the CRA's decision to support him over Republican challengers Sonny Sardo and Melvin ``Mel'' Milton.


Gary Scott can be reached by e-mail at gary.scott@sgvn.com or by calling (626) 578-6300, Ext. 4458.

Mr. Scott:

Perhaps you should speak to some of the National Organizations that supported Dreier's opponent in 2004 before declaring him out of the illegal immigration woods just yet.

Our organization played a roll in that 2004 vote drop for Dreier. We have not decided who we will endorse yet. Please read the information below.

William Gheen
President, Americans for Legal Immigration PAC ALIPAC
Post Office Box 30966, Raleigh, NC 27622-0966
Tel: (919) 787-6009 Toll Free: (866) 329-3999
FEC ID: C00405878

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http://www.alipac.us/article52.html

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http://www.alipac.us/article39.html